Not every car accident is attributable to human error. Sometimes, even when a collision seems to have a clear cause, a defect in the vehicle may be to blame. When a defective vehicle part causes or exacerbates an accident, the manufacturer may be responsible for any resulting injuries. At Gerson & Schwartz, P.A., our experienced Miami auto defect attorneys can review the causes of your accident and help you hold negligent manufacturers liable for your injuries.
Auto Manufacturing Defects Happen OftenAt any given moment, millions of vehicles are on the road with existing or known defects. Many of these vehicles are subject to existing vehicle recalls, but a large percentage may have hidden defects or problems that are unknown to the driver until a malfunction causes an accident.
Vehicle manufacturers issue many recalls every year. Usually, these recalls fix minor issues that rarely affect a vehicles performance. Other recalls are much more serious, and aim to correct problems that could cause injuries or even death if left uncorrected.
Issuing a vehicle recall is an expensive proposition for any automaker. For that reason, auto manufacturers have been known to delay issuing a recall or hide existing problems to avoid expensive repairs. For instance, auto parts supplier Takata Corporation was recently involved in the largest automotive recall in history after its airbags were found to be defective. Nineteen different automakers were forced to recall millions of vehicles manufactured from 2002 through 2015 after it was proven that the airbags could explode, causing severe injuries and multiple deaths. Evidence showed that Takata and some automakers were aware of the problem for years before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration forced automakers to recall the defective vehicles.
Frequent Types of Manufacturing DefectsA vehicle may have a manufacturing defect even if no recall was ever issued. Errors during the manufacturing process or design process can turn a vehicle into a ticking time bomb.
It can be difficult to know if an accident was the result of a manufacturing defect without expert analysis by a mechanic or other professional. However, if any of the following occurs during an accident, there is a good chance that a vehicle defect may be to blame:
When these types of issues cause an accident or affect how a person is injured, it is likely that a vehicle defect or malfunction contributed to the collision. Likewise, a driver that experiences unexplained or unusual vehicle behavior shortly before an accident should have his or her vehicle checked out by a professional as soon as possible. Strange noises or actions could point to a hidden defect in the car or truck.
Was Your Accident Caused by a Vehicle Defect?Automobile manufacturers have a duty to consumers to create safe, reliable vehicles that are free from hidden defects. When an automaker fails to fulfill this duty, it can be held responsible for the injuries and deaths caused by its dangerous products.
If you believe that your car accident may have been caused by a defective vehicle or vehicle part, it is important to seek out professional help as soon as possible. At Gerson & Schwartz, P.A., our Miami accident lawyers will review your case and look for other possible causes for your accident, like a vehicle malfunction or defect. To schedule your free consultation, contact our office today by calling (877) 475-2905.